Yoga - Choose to Energize or Relax

Every yoga class includes breath and posture.

Usually, people attending yoga are thinking about stretching their muscles out, feeling the release and tension and improving their range of motion.

Some, however, use yoga as a way to wake up and get energized to move into their day with ease of movement and a relaxed, yet focused mind.

What makes the difference? The easiest answer is to think of the poses or postures themselves, but the secret is actually the breath.

When you want to relax and let go, you exhale on the stretch itself, the core movement of the posture. When you exhale, it's almost impossible for the body to retain a contraction. You are literally letting the energy out.

If you want to get energized and dance your way out of class instead of looking for the nearest bed, reverse your breathing. Inhale into the part of the body you are primarily working on. So, inhale, move into the posture, then exhale and keep breathing into your body. Hold on to your energy as you hold on to the pose.

Inhale while moving to the pose = Energize and Build Muscles

Exhale while moving to the pose = Relax a and Stretch